U.S. patent application number 14/208826 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for dash dock and cradle design.
This patent application is currently assigned to Winnebago Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Winnebago Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig Casanova, Matthew Clements, Steven Jergenson, L., Bob Ritter.
Application Number | 20140263511 14/208826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51523080 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clements; Matthew ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
Dash Dock and Cradle Design
Abstract
The sliding display device system is a device for mounting a
display devices in a recreational vehicle that allows for easy
repositioning of the display device along a horizontal axis between
the driver and passenger side along the dashboard.
Inventors: |
Clements; Matthew; (Clive,
IA) ; Jergenson, L.; Steven; (Clear Lake, IA)
; Casanova; Craig; (Albert Lea, MN) ; Ritter;
Bob; (Clear Lake, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Winnebago Industries, Inc. |
Forest City |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Forest City
IA
|
Family ID: |
51523080 |
Appl. No.: |
14/208826 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61789088 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/0084 20130101;
B60R 2011/0005 20130101; B60R 11/02 20130101; B60R 7/06 20130101;
B60R 2011/0092 20130101; B60R 11/0235 20130101; B60R 2011/0061
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/483 |
International
Class: |
B60R 7/06 20060101
B60R007/06 |
Claims
1. A slideable mounting device for a vehicle comprising: a. a
vehicle further comprising a dashboard, further comprising at least
one slide groove fixedly; b. at least one trolley assembly
configured to be slideably connected to the slide groove and
further comprising a mounting assembly configured to support a
mountable device.
2. The slideable mounting device of claim 1, wherein the mountable
device is a display device.
3. The slideable mounting device of claim 2, wherein the display
device is selected from the group consisting of: a touch-screen
control mechanism, a radio, a GPS display, a map display device, a
music or satellite radio control device, a climate control device,
a vehicle control mechanism, a reverse camera display, a tablet
computer, a digital music player, or any of a variety of electronic
components, either of the consumer electronic or vehicle electronic
varieties.
4. The slideable mounting device of claim 3, wherein the display
device is electronically coupled to the vehicle electronic
system.
5. The slideable mounting device of claim 4, further comprising a
chain system.
6. The slideable mounting device of claim 1, wherein the mounting
assembly is a display device mounting assembly further comprising a
display device mounting bracket fixedly attached to the trolley
assembly.
7. The slideable mounting device of claim 5, wherein the display
device mounting bracket further comprises at least one device
retaining member.
8. The slideable mounting device of claim 1 further comprising a
friction reduction mechanism between the at least one trolley
assembly and the at least one slide groove.
9. The slideable mounting device of claim 8, wherein the friction
reduction mechanism is selected from the group consisting of:
wheels, bearings, low resistance nylon, plastic, and grease.
10. The slideable mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a
drive member.
11. The slideable mounting device of claim 1, further comprising an
electronic coupling.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mounting assembly
locking member configured to prevent movement of the mounting
assembly.
13. The slideable mounting device of claim 1 wherein the mounting
assembly is a work station, wherein the work station further
comprises a work surface, and the work surface fixedly connected to
the trolley assembly.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cord organizing
member.
15. A system for providing a sliding dash display component
comprising: a. a vehicle; b. at least one slide groove set in the
dash of the vehicle; c. at least one trolley assembly configured to
be slideably connected to the slide groove assembly and further
comprising a mounting assembly configured to support a mountable
device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application 61/789,088, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled "Dash
Dock and Cradle Design," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to display device dock systems
for recreational vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As people become more mobile and spend a greater amount of
time traveling and away from home, demand rises for electronic
devices that can be used outside the home environment. Tablet
computers including a large display screen and a touch screen
interface are becoming more prevalent in today's society due to the
ease in which they can be used on the go. Because using a tablet
computer in a vehicle may be cumbersome, numerous devices have been
developed to fixedly display a tablet in a vehicle such as mounts
for a dashboard or the rear of a seat. Yet when it comes to using a
display in recreation vehicle, these prior art solutions have
significant problems. Because these vehicles tend to be very wide
(a Class A coach is 96'' across), it is difficult to mount a tablet
in one spot on a dashboard that can be easily seen or accessed by
both the driver and the passenger. For example, if a tablet is
mounted halfway between the driver and passenger it may be
difficult for the driver to see a map needed for navigation. And
likewise, it may be difficult for the passenger to clearly see a
movie being displayed. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for
a mount that can be positioned between the driver and passenger
depending on required use of the tablet.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is an apparatus for slidably mounting
an display device such as a tablet computer, iPad.RTM., or
information center (having backup monitor, GPS and the like) in a
recreational vehicle or other large vehicle so that the position of
the mounted device can be easily adjusted in a horizontal direction
between the passenger and driver.
[0005] In one embodiment, a slidable mounting apparatus for a
vehicle has at least one slide groove assembly fixedly attached to
a vehicle and at least one mounting assembly, wherein said mounting
assembly further comprises at least one trolley assembly; and said
trolley assembly is slidably connected to said slide groove
assembly.
[0006] In another embodiment, the mounting assembly is a display
device mounting assembly and the display device mounting assembly
further comprises a display device mounting bracket fixedly
attached to said trolley assembly for securing a display device to
the bracket.
[0007] In still another embodiment, the mounting assembly is a work
station, wherein said work station further comprises a work surface
and said work surface fixedly connected to the trolley
assembly.
[0008] In still a further embodiment, said trolley assembly further
comprises at least one friction reduction member, wherein said
friction reduction member is a wheel, bearing, low friction
nylon/plastic, or other means known in the art of reducing friction
between moving parts.
[0009] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As
will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in
various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of one implementation of the sliding
display device system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the implementation of
FIG. 1 from along lines D-D.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the implementation of FIG. 1 from
the point of view of reference letter E.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary
embodiment of the system showing the chain system.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of a
recreational vehicle showing of an exemplary implementation of the
display device mounting assembly.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of a
recreational vehicle showing of an exemplary implementation of the
display device mounting system prior to complete assembly of the
vehicle.
[0016] FIG. 7A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment showing
the display device mount and the slide groove and wiring.
[0017] FIG. 7B is a further perspective view of a further
embodiment showing the display device mount and dash.
[0018] FIG. 8A is a cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment showing
the display mounting device and chain.
[0019] FIG. 8B is a perspective side view of an exemplary
embodiment showing the display device mount and the chain system
and wiring.
[0020] FIG. 9A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment showing
the display device mount and the slide groove and wiring.
[0021] FIG. 9B is a further perspective view of a further
embodiment showing the display device mount and dash.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a further interior perspective view of the dash
mounted system.
[0023] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the system comprising multiple display devices.
[0024] FIG. 12A depicts a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the system configured as a workstation.
[0025] FIG. 12 B depicts a perspective view of an alternate
workstation embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The various systems and devices disclosed herein relate to
apparatus, systems and method for use in recreational vehicles.
More specifically, various embodiments relate to various apparatus,
systems and methods for adjusting the position of certain
components, namely a dash display device. Although the sliding
display device system has been described with reference to certain
exemplary embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize
that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from
the spirit and scope of the apparatus, systems and methods.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods
comprise a sliding dash system and slidable mounting apparatus for
a recreational vehicle, which for brevity will be referred to
herein as the "dash system."
[0028] Turning to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 depicts an
exemplary embodiment of the sliding in-dash system 10. In these
embodiments, a vehicle dashboard 12 is shown having one or more
slide grooves 14 running substantially horizontally along the
dashboard 12. The embodiment further comprises one or more display
device mounting, or "trolley" assemblies 16. Said display device
mounting assemblies further comprising one or more brackets 20
configured to hold a display device (as described in detail in
reference to FIG. 2, which is the cross-section of section
D-D).
[0029] In certain exemplary embodiments, a display device 18 may be
placed or otherwise secured to the trolley assembly 16. In certain
embodiments, the display device is simply placed on the trolley
assembly, but in other embodiments, the display device 18 is
secured to the trolly through brackets, clips, adjustable
components or other means known in the art. In certain
implementations, the display device can be fully or partially
integrated with the vehicle electrical system, such as a
touch-screen control mechanism, radio, GPS display, map display,
music or satellite radio control device, mapping device, climate
control device, vehicle control mechanism, reverse camera display,
a tablet computer such as an iPad.RTM., a laptop computer, a
digital music player, or any of a variety of electronic components,
either of the consumer electronic or vehicle electronic varieties.
In certain embodiments, brackets are affixed directly from the
display device 18 to the trolley assembly 16. The trolley assembly
16 is in turn slidably connected to the slide grooves 14 such that
the display device can be made to slide horizontally from the
driver side (generally at 1) to the passenger side (generally at
2), as described elsewhere herein.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of segment D-D in FIG. 1,
showing an exemplary embodiment of the of the sliding dash system.
As is shown in FIG. 3-4, certain exemplary embodiments further
comprise a caterpillar or chain system 22 to facilitate movement of
the display device along the slide grooves 14. In certain of these
embodiments, the chain system 22 is configured to organize cords
used to power the device or to use the device as an auxiliary input
into the vehicles in-dash sound system. The chain system further
allows smooth movement of the display device without cord
bunching.
[0031] In certain implementations, the system comprises one or more
slide grooves 14 and the trolley assembly 16 further comprises
wheels 24, bearings, low resistance nylon/plastic-type material or
other materials know in the art that reduce friction between the
slide grooves 14 and the trolley assembly 16 during operation to
facilitate sliding in a generally horizontal direction.
[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom-view of the system from the point
marked "E." In certain embodiments, the system comprises a chain
connection member 26, which operationally couples the trolley 16
with the chain system 22.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a cutaway view of an embodiment of the system
comprising the chain system, or caterpillar 22. In certain
embodiments, the chain system is powered by a driven gear (not
shown) to control the movement of the trolley 16 about the slide
groove. In alternate embodiments, the chain system 22 is passively
movable by the user, such as by hand. In yet further embodiments,
the chain system 22 is functionally coupled to a locking mechanism.
The slide grooves 14 can be manufactured by a number of means known
in the art. For example, slide grooves 14 could be manufactured
through extrusion. Other manufacturing methods are possible. The
slide grooves may be manufactured from a number of materials such
as plastic or metal. Other materials are possible.
[0034] FIG. 5 depicts a further example of an exemplary embodiment
of the system. In these embodiments, the slide groove 14 runs
substantially horizontally across the vehicle dashboard 12 and is
slidably connected to the trolley assembly 16 secured to a display
device 18. In certain implementations, the trolley assembly is
obscured from the user's view by the display device, and in further
embodiments the trolley assembly is prominently visible to the
user, depending on the configuration or type of display device
being used, as discussed elsewhere herein. In yet further
implementations, said slide gap assemblies further comprise one or
more stop members at either end 30, 32 of the slide groove such
that horizontal movement of the trolley assemblies 16 will be
stopped once it reaches the end of the slide gap assemblies. As
shown in FIG. 6, in certain of these embodiments the trolley
further comprises at least one bracket 20.
[0035] FIGS. 7A-10 depict various exemplary embodiments of the
system 10. As shown in FIG. 7B, the dashboard 12 further comprises
an control center 36. In certain of these exemplary embodiments,
the control center is in electrical or operational communication
with the display device 18. In certain of these embodiments, this
communication is by way of wiring 38, as would be apparent to one
of skill in the art. In certain alternate embodiments, the wiring
places the system in communication with other electronics, such as
a remote hard drive or other processor (not shown).
[0036] As depicted in FIG. 11, certain embodiments of the system 10
comprise a plurality of trolleys 16A, 16B. In certain embodiments,
the system comprises a plurality of slide grooves 14A, 14B. In
certain of these embodiments, the first groove 14A is located on
substantially the top of the center stack of dashboard 12 and the
second groove 14B located on substantially the bottom of the center
stack of the dashboard. The display device 18 mounting assembly
extends from the top to the bottom of the face of the dashboard and
moves horizontally from the driver side to the passenger side.
[0037] FIG. 12A-12B depict certain alternate embodiments of the
system further comprise a work station assembly 40. The workstation
has a work surface 42 to allow for the placement of a laptop
computer, iPad, book, or other personal electronic device, or to
perform work requiring a hard flat surface. In certain embodiments,
the workstation assembly 40 further comprises one or more trolley
assemblies fixedly connected to the work surface. In exemplary
implementations, one or more workstation assemblies and one or more
display device mounting assemblies are each slidably connected to
the slide grooves 14A, 14B which may be useful if, for example, the
driver required use of a tablet for navigation while
simultaneously, the passenger required a work surface to work on a
laptop computer. In certain embodiments, the slide grooves 14A, 14B
protrude upwards from the surface of the dashboard. A work station
assembly is slidably connected to two slide grooves 14A, 14B. In
certain embodiments the ends of the slide grooves are open to allow
the user to slide the trolley assemblies of the work station into
the slide grooves when a work surface is required yet also to allow
for removal of the work station assembly when it is no longer
needed. Alternatively, a work station could be replaced with a
display device mounting assemblies when the user wished to view a
display device rather than utilize a work surface.
[0038] While the various systems in accordance with the present
disclosure have been described as being used in connection with
recreational vehicle applications, it is envisioned that the
present systems disclosed may be used in other applications as
well. It is understood that various modifications may be made to
the embodiments of the presently disclosed sliding dash system.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but merely illustrative of the variations described
herein. It is also understood by one of skill in the art that this
invention is useful for wide body vehicles in general, including
commercial and noncommercial vehicles.
* * * * *